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meaningless if we do not return home with renewed courage and energies for a fresh assault upon our problems at home. Our National Congress will be only as strong as we are, individually, in our efforts wherever we live. I make a plea that we be constant, that we maintain faith in ourselves and in each other, for the goal at the end of the adventure is a shining one; a rediscovery of our own innate strengths and self-determination, a renewal of our best Indian traditions as our own unique contributions to the richness of American life."


Governor Luther W. Youngdahl of Minnesota followed Mrs. Roe Cloud's address with a welcome from the people of Minnesota and with his wishes for a successful Convention. He pointed out how the State of Minnesota, during his administration, had tried to help the Indian find his true place in American society.

The afternoon session began with Kent FitzGerald's introduction of Don Foster, Minneapolis Area Director, who introduced Dillon S. Myer, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, whose address to the Convention outlined some of the things he had undertaken to accomplish in the Bureau. Mr. Myer stated: "To my mind, the development of those constructive programs leading to Indian independence and a higher standard of living is the most important job that lies ahead for both the Bureau of Indian Affairs and for Indian tribal organization.* * * * * It seems to me the National Congress of American Indians is in an especially strategic position to play a vital role in this whole process. You are in a position to encourage and foster the kind of responsible tribal leaders that are needed among the Indian people to spark this program development. You are in a position to help greatly in making clear to the various Indian groups the significance of this work and its importance to their future welfare. And you can help us by bringing to bear your over-all knowledge of Indian attitudes and problems in the form of constructive criticism and advice. * * * * * * 

"I am encouraged by many of the more positive developments that have been taking place lately and especially by the kind of leaders whom I see emerging these days from the Indian population. These leaders in my judgment hold the key to the future welfare of the Indian population. On them much more heavily than on the Bureau of Indian Affairs, rests the responsibility for constructively guiding the Indian people out of the shadows of Federal paternalism into the sunlight of fully responsible American citizenship."

(NOTE: The entire text of the Commissioner's speech has been mimeographed and distributed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It is likely that the Bureau has additional copies available upon request.)

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